19-Year-Old Charged After Attempting Attack On NYPD On New Year's Eve

New York City on New Year's Eve is one of the most popular spots to ring in the New Year. Millions of people from all around the world come to Times Square to witness the ball drop live in person and to see Ryan Seacrest as he hosts “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest."

This year, unfortunately, police officers were the victims of an attempted machete attack.

Trevor Bickford, 19, of Wells, Maine, allegedly tried to attack three police officers with a machete near Times Square on New Year's Eve. The incident happened at around 10 p.m.

According to ABC News, police confirmed that Bickford took a train to New York City on December 29, just a few days prior to the incident.

CNN previously reported that one of the officers, who was a rookie who had just graduated the day prior to the attack, was hit over the head with the weapon and suffered a fractured skull and a laceration to his head.

The second officer, who had been with the force for eight years, also sustained a laceration injury while the third offiicer suffered injuries after he responded to the incident.

All three officers were taken to the hospital, and all three were released on Sunday, per ABC News.

After the attempted attack, which occurred on New Year's Eve, authorities recovered his backpack from the scene, which reportedly contained a journal that noted Bickford expected to die during the attack. He went on to say he wanted an Islamic burial.

Police officials also confirmed with the New York Times that Bickford left a note for his mother, which read, "I fear greatly you will not repent to Allah and therefore I hold hope in my heart that a piece of you believes so that you may be taken out of the hellfire."

A New York Police Department spokesperson confirmed Bickford has been charged with two counts of attempted murder of a police officer and two counts of attempted assault, per PEOPLE. Bickford may also face charges related to terrorism, per the New York Times.

New York Mayor Eric Adams spoke out after the incident took place. "Thank you and Happy New Year's, and it is a happy New Year's. We have three officers who are going home," he said. "Three officers were attacked today. They were doing their jobs, the jobs that members of the New York City Police Department and other first responders and law enforcement officers do every day."

He went on to give the officers credit for how they handled the situation. "We are really pleased by the response and how our officers handled this situation," he continued, "And as we do a preliminary review of the body cam video, we see how well these officers executed the plan that was put in place by the New York City Police Department in ensuring we protect those who came here to bring in a new year."